Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Energy and Natural Resources
Period
1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025
Specific Details
Solar
Intended results
To accept an invitation to attend a meeting on Solar power.
To discuss the planning regulations around solar farms.
To highlight that energy generation from solar, both large scale solar farms and farm/residential roof-top solar that feed excess energy back into the grid, fits well with energy generation from wind turbines in Ireland given that peak solar generation is in the summer months while wind energy generation is higher in winter months.
To highlight that, with this reality driving increased investment in solar energy generation, there is a need for delivery on the Programme for Government's commitment to develop planning guidelines for solar development in Ireland.
That roof-top solar is a cost-efficient method of generating low-emission energy within Ireland. Roof-top solar panels are now a common sight on many commercial buildings, and increasingly so on many farm buildings.
That roof top solar systems are cost efficient and allow farmers to invest in renewable energy that will typically have a payback period 4-7 years. They can also avail of grant funding through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and Accelerated Capital Allowances, where eligible.
That farm solar systems are designed and installed to meet average on-farm energy usage. However, there is also the ability for excess energy to be stored in battery systems and used when required or exported back to the grid.
That IFA is fully supportive of roof-top solar production and has a commercial interest in assisting farmers in installation through the joint venture of our Member Services division with Bord Gáis.
That IFA is seeking a dedicated renewable energy grant scheme, separate from TAMS, with funding provided from the €3 billion Climate and Nature Fund for on-farm renewable investments, including roof-top solar.
That, while roof-top solar is universally supported by farmers and local communities, there are concerns and a level of opposition in certain areas around the development of utility scale solar farms, which are increasing in size up to hundreds of acres of land in some cases.
To highlight the main concern among some farmers is the loss of productive agricultural land to solar farms. Many developments of large-scale solar farms have taken place on some of Ireland's most productive land.
To emphasise that it is imperative that proper planning guidelines are put in place that take account of the concerns of farmers, but also allow for the on-going development of solar energy facilities, where deemed appropriate.
To highlight that, where significant development of agricultural land is involved, poorer quality land should be used in preference. The availability of land used for food production should be considered alongside other considerations when deciding what sites are most appropriate for development.
To highlight that utility-scale solar farms are generally located where grid connection and capacity are available. Solar developments in these more densely populated regions may have a greater effect on local communities and are likely to lead to greater community opposition. Planning guidelines must recognise the deficits in the national electricity grid infrastructure.
Solar farm developments should not be given planning permission in sub-optimal locations simply because there is sufficient electricity grid capacity in the location.
To stress that there must be greater investment in the grid infrastructure by EirGrid to allow further solar farm developments to be located in the most suitable area that minimise the impact on local communities, local agriculture and the environment.
To propose that planning guidelines for solar farm developments should take account of the long-term impact that large scale solar farm developments will have on the local community, and farmers in the area. The removal of large areas of land, particularly productive land, in a confined local area, could have a very negative impact on the community.
To highlight that planning guidelines must be based on consultation with all stakeholders in rural communities, with farmers being central to this consultation. We need to understand the impact this will have on agriculture as a sector, but also on the family farm structure and viability on these farms in areas where large scale solar farms are being developed.
To highlight that landowners often avail of retirement relief to avoid a capital gains tax (CGT) liability on the transfer of a farm to the next generation. The capacity to qualify for retirement relief should not be impacted by the fact that solar panels are installed on the land, provided the area in which the solar panels are installed does not exceed half the total area of the land concerned.
That, similarly for Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), land on which solar panels are installed is regarded as agricultural land for the purposes of the definition of agricultural property, provided the area of land occupied by solar panels and ancillary equipment does not exceed half the land area. This is important for eligibility for agricultural relief from CAT when a farm is being gifted or inherited.
To emphasise that planning guidelines should insist that responsibility for decommissioning of end-of-life solar farms is a clear requirement to the solar farm developer in the planning process. The cost associated with dismantling, and safe removal of solar panels and restoration of land to its original state should be clearly stipulated in any planning decision.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, James Kelly IFA Director of Organisation, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Bill O'Keeffe IFA Farm Business Chair
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Eoin Ó Broin
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Joe Cooney
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Micheál Carrigy
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paul McAuliffe
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paula Butterly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Richard Boyd Barrett
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Rory Hearne
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Seamus McGrath
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Thomas Gould
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)